Can I see pics of microwave in your island? My pic included.

14 years ago

HA! Less than 24 hours after we finalize our design center choices I freaked out!

We have an island. Right now the top is 4'x 3'5".... the base of it is just a drywall, textured column like thing (see pic). I would like them to "open" it on one side and finish it that way so I can install a shelf and put my microwave down there and not have it installed above my range.

I got a quote today, $100! Sounds GOOD to me. However, it won't be anything but an open space, finished with drywall, texture, paint, trim, ect. SO, we'll have to do the customizing ourselves and installation of micro ourselves.

Here is a pic (not our home, just model being built).

My intentions would be for them to have an opening either on the sink side or the range/fridge side. The front door is to the right, opposite the sink, so you would see the right side of the island when you walk in. I don't want you to see a micro. What side would you put it on? Sink side or range/fridge side?

Any idea of how much space I'd need on the sides and back for ventilation, if any?

Can I see pics of what you've done?

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Comments (6)

altagirl
14 years ago
I would do the fridge side for sure. I don't have a pic of mine yet b/c we are installing right now but the dimension of my opening is 20"d, 24"w, 12"h. My KD planned for a counter top GE space maker or a micro similar in size. If you plan to use a micro drawer I would check the specs for the cutouts. Also, don't forget you need a plug in the opening. HTH
natenvalsmom
14 years ago
Is there already electricity run to the island? We put in an island and had to have electricity run under the floor. They had to dig a trench in the slab, then install the wiring. The microwave required its own electric box, separate from the outlets that were installed in the island. I can't imagine that $100. would even come close to doing all of the electrical work. Of course, you MAY already have electricity in the island; it just isn't visible from the picture. Good luck!

Here is ours:
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chicagoans
14 years ago
First, congrats on building your new house! Very exciting.

My MW drawer isn't in our island so no picture, but in addition to the electrical question I'm wondering:

It looks in your picture like the island counter has an overhang of several inches on all 4 sides (can't tell for sure) and a corbel in the center of each side. Where were you planning on placing the MW? Under the corbel? That seems awfully low. Or were you thinking of having 2 corbels on either side of the MW space? That would make sense to me so it could be higher, but you wouldn't want much overhang above it. So my preference would be sink side, centered between 2 corbels, with only a standard counter overhang.

For an under-counter MW, I really like having a drawer, so you can place and retrieve items from above. (That's personal preference though.)

natevalsmom - beautiful kitchen! Love your colors, lights, valances, and especially that island counter.
chicagoans
14 years ago
PS: if you have a MW between 2 corbels, be sure to plan for door swing if you do a side opening door. You might need a corbel shaped more like an L so there is more clearance.

A MW built to go under a counter, like a MW drawer or one with a door hinged on the bottom would probably work better.
natesgram
14 years ago
Most people don't know we have one. In my kitchen, people are more inclined to stand at the island or windows. For me it would be more difficult to stop doing dishes or loading the dishwasher than to move out of the way of the fridge if someone wanted to use the micro.

Ours is on an adjustable shelf with about 3-4" all around.

In addition to the electrical outlet for the micro, we have one more under the overhang, next to a corbel (you can't see it unless you duck. Hope this helps. Nice kitchen.
dmwbcc
Original Author
14 years ago
Hi, thanks! We actually already have a certain size island INCLUDED in our home, the picture is a MODEL home, so we are just doing a small modification to the existing island, not a complete install of something that didn't exist, hense the small charge for additional materias. For example adding several inches and an outlet inside the opening. Also, we're "losing" a 12" overhang on the range side (I'm not putting stool on that side) and losing the 6" overhang on the sink side to afford a larger base. The countertop will also be a few inches bigger. I want the sink and range side to have a typical overhang (1"-2") since it's becoming a functional island. I think we have decided to do the opening on the range side.

Now, I think we're sold on the micro drawer!!!